(3) 4-6 Translated by Chantal Wright. Rico's mom calls him a "child proddity": "I think an awful lot, but I need a lot of time to figure things out." Nevertheless, he manages to save his new friend from the mysterious kidnapper Mr. 2000. Rico's likable and compelling voice combined with the contemporary Berlin setting make this selection stand out from other middle-grade mysteries.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) K-3 Translated by Chantal Wright. Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer. Bored with her passive royal existence, Princess Isabella rebels and refuses to wear her crown. Her father (the king) punishes her by sending her to wallow in the pigsty...where she's never been happier. The genial story resolves its father/daughter conflict warmly if a bit facilely. Black-outlined illustrations contrast the staid, jewel-toned king and his subjects with the earthier, more high-spirited Isabella.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Translated by Chantal Wright. Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer. Captain Firebeard, "the terror of the high seas," captures young Molly, sure her parents will pay a "handsome ransom." When Molly's formidable mother--a truly terrifying pirate--shows up with her own crew of fearless ladies, she saves her daughter and exacts a fitting revenge. Meyer's comically detailed illustrations raise the book above its girl-power message. A rowdy, satisfying seafaring adventure.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2005